Rest Stop - Spinach Salad Recipe

This rest stop is several recipes I have used during this journey.  They may have foods I am not allowed to have while on Repairvaite or Clearvite.  In that case I either leave them out or replace them with something I can have.

The first one is for Spinach Quinoa Salad.  It comes from two peas and their pod.  http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/spinach-quinoa-salad-with-roasted-grapes-pears-almonds/

Spinach Quinoa Salad with Roasted Grapes, Pears and Almonds

Ingredients:
2 cups red seedless grapes
2 large Bartlett pears, chopped
1 Tbsp honey
2 cups water
Pinch of sea salt
1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
8 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup chopped almonds

For the Lemon-Honey Dressing
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine grapes and pears in a small bowl.  Drizzle with honey and stir until fruit is well coated.  Place fruit on a large greased baking sheet.  Roast fruit for 15-20 minutes, or until the grapes are slightly shriveled and pears are soft.
2. While fruit is roasting, cook quinoa.  In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.  Season with a pinch of sea salt.  Stir in quinoa and cook until water is evaporated and quinoa is tender, about 20 minutes.  Pour quinoa into a medium bowl and fluff with a fork.  Let cool to room temperature.
3. To make Lemon-Honey Dressing: combine olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper in a small jar with a tight fitting lid, close, and shake until well combined.
4. In a salad bowl, combine spinach, roasted grapes, pears, quinoa, and chopped almonds.  Drizzle salad dressing over salad and toss until coated.
 I make this without baking the grapes and pears because I can't have the honey



The second recipe comes from the top tv stuff household blog.  It is
a great recipe for a way to start your day.  I don't make it very often because I get get to have a lot of bananas on the Clearvite program and I couldn't have any bananas on the Repairvite program.  I could have this on the Repairvite program if I left out the banana.  But I did not find it until the last couple of days.  The link to the blog is:  http://www.toptvstuffhousehold.com/easy-recipes-for-healthy-breakfasts/

Ingredients:
1 peeled banana
1 cup berries (blueberries, strawberries, etc.)
1 peeled orange
1/4-1/2 avocado (pitted)
2-3 cups of a leafy green (spinach, kale, etc.)
1 Tbsp ground flax seed
4 ounces water

Directions:
Throw all of these ingredients in to your blender, except for the leafy greens.  After the ingredients have been blended, toss in the leafy greens and blend for 20-30 seconds. Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Rest Stop - Fish Recipe

Time to stop again along this journey.  This time it is to post a new recipe.  Since I started the Repairvite phase of this journey and now that I am on the Clearvite phase and can't have beef or pork we am eating a lot more fish.  This recipe and picture come from the Sunkist Produce site.  The link is http://www.sunkist.com/recipes/steelhead-mandarin-in-parchment_1063.aspx  There are several good recipes on this site.

Steelhead Mandarin in Parchment Paper

Ingredients:
1/4 cup green olives, pitted and sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
6 green onions with green tops, chopped
2 Sunkist lemons, juiced
3 Sunkist gold nugget mandarin oranges, one zested, all peeled and segmented
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 each steelhead fillets, 6 oz
4 pieces parchment paper, 8"x 12" size

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place 2 baking sheets in oven.

Instructions: (makes 4 servings)

Combine olives, red bell pepper, oregano, mandarin zest and segments, half of the green onions and lemon juice in a small bowl. Set aside.  Lay out parchment paper.  Divide half of the green onion evenly on one half of each of the parchment sheets.  Place a steelhead filet on each bed of green onions, season with salt and pepper.  Top with orange mixture.  Fold sheets of parchment paper over the top of the fish.  Fold edges of the parchment together, making small overlapping folds along the edge to seal tightly.  Place packets on heated baking sheets.  Bake 15 to 18 minutes.  Transfer packets to individual plates. Make a slice in the middle of the packet and tear paper open to reveal the fish.

Note: I have to omit the red bell pepper because I can not have peppers while I am did the Repaivite program and while I am doing the Clearvite program.

Week Eight - Day One - End of Repairvite and Water Fast

The Dr. was back in the office today.  Had a good talk with him about the progress I am making.  I have lost 45 pounds in 50 days.  Not bad.  I know I have a long way to go.  I would like to lose about another 100-125 pounds.  The Dr. says he doesn't see why I shouldn't be down a total of about 100 pounds by the end of the year.  That excites me, to think I could be down 100 pounds by the end of the year.  Could actually be under the 300 pound mark.  I just realized, I lost 9 lbs this last week,  A big part of that was that fact that Thur, Fri, Sat was my modified water diet.  I only need to lose about a pound and three quarters each week from now through the end of the year to make 100 lbs for this year.  I believe it is very do able when I break it down that way.  I know that my success is because I am following the program Dr. Scott has laid out for me to the letter.  I will admit it has also taken a great deal of will power to accomplish these things.

I have completed 30 days of Repairvite and three days of the modified water fast.  I was going to start my Clearvite today but Dr. Scott is out of the things I need but should have them by the time I go back on Thursday.  I will be on Clearvite for 21 days and then I will be begin reintroducing foods back into my diet.  For what Dr. Scott said, the first thing will be eggs and gluten and dairy will be at the very last.  I told Dr. Scott I need to be back on dairy and gluten by August because I have dinner of homemade Ravioli planned and I don't want to give it up.  He just laughed and that worries me.  My visit to his office lasted about two and a half hours today.  It is a good thing I don't plan anything until at least three hours or so after my scheduled time at his office.

I need to take a minute, to post somethings I have been thinking as of late.  When I first went to listen to Dr. Scott's presentation, I went to keep my wife happy.  I figured it would all be a smoke and mirrors presentation.  I have tried all kinds of diets and programs for weight loss and I figured this would be no different, but now as I start my eighth week with Dr. Scott I feel totally different.  I know that Dr. Scott is in business to make money but I also know that he has a genuine concern for the people he is working with.  Thank you Dr. Scott for all you have done for me.

Week Seven - Day Two - End of Repairvite

Dr. Scott will be back in the office on Monday and boy will he be busy.  When I talked with his office staff today the shared with me why it has been so quiet, and that is because there have been no new patients and nobody that needed adjustments because they can not do them.  In other words starting next week it will get crazy again.  It still took me about an hour and twenty minutes to get through my routine.  I can't believe how much better my back is feeling, but then losing 35 lbs helps too.

My Repairvite journey ended yesterday.  I can't say I am gong to miss it, although the weed water actually began to taste sweet at the end.  I guess that may be because I have not had any sweet treats in 30 days.  I even made three desserts and didn't sample any of them.  I even went so far as to wash the little bit I got on my fingers and hands.  Vick is surprised at how well I am doing.  I am not sure why I am doing so well, I think there is some help from my guardian angels.  I started my three day modified water fast today.  I think this is going to be a bigger test than Repairvite was.  I get a gallon of water with the juice of five lemons, five limes and 4 Tablespoons of Grade B real maple syrup mixed in it.  It is 10:30 PM and I am down to my last 20 ounces.  I think I am going to be up all night, making trips to the bathroom.  Because on top of all this water I am still taking a water pill.  Boy the fun I am having.  But my daughter did say she could see a difference and that made me feel good.

I was listening to the radio today and heard about a study conducted by UCLA.  In the study the participants were between the ages of 12-18.  They bought lunch at both McDonald's and Subway.  When calories were totaled, less than 100 calories separated McDonald's and Subway.  Subway had less but more sodium.  The study was not scientific but very interesting.

Subway says it is the "leading choice for people seeking quick nutritious meals"....Read more
http://bit.ly/149WGUn

Since I am on a liquid diet for the next couple of days I have been reading about water and juice.  The fist article is about "Juice Wars: The Best and Worst for Your Health".   Who doesn't enjoy a tall, cool glass of juice?...more  http://
bit.ly/185bFk4

The second article is more about water.  I know I posted about water but one more, since again that is all I get right now.  Water Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Hydration?  Take the test at:  http://

bit.ly/12zropE

I apologize to anyone that is offended or upset because of the jokes, sayings, pictures and anything that makes light of being overweight but I include them because it is a way for me to laugh at myself.  April 1st I was over 400 lbs and now I am under 365 lbs.  And it is just the beginning of this journey that will last the rest of my life.

Week Seven - Day One - Repairvite Journey

Beginning this week I will be seeing the Dr. twice a week for the next six weeks.  Wednesday I finish Repairvite and go a modified water diet for three days to detox and then starts Clearvite and reintroducing foods, that have been on the forbidden list, back into my diet.  I start with brown rice and nuts.

As you can tell by my weight chart I was only down 5 lbs last week.  When I say that to Vick, she says "pick up five pounds of butter and see how much you have lost.  I sure do Love her, she is my main cheerleader.  My grandson always prays for my diet. Love that kid too.  And I know there are several other that are in my corner and to them I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Actually, Monday was the 28th day of the Repairvite program and the 43rd day since I started with Dr. Scott.  When I went to his office for my usual treatment, I got a surprise.  Usually they have to use two extensions on the decompression bed and Monday they only used one.  I guess this journey is working.  It was also a tremendous boost to the ego.  I will continue with this journey for probably the rest of my life.  Because of Dr. Scott, I am finally putting to use the things I already knew about diet and I am alos learning a great deal more about diet.

It was kind of nice to be the only one in the office Monday.  It made the routine go quick.  A big thanks to the office staff too, they are great and I enjoy visiting with them.  They are always so patient, listening to the ramblings of a man old enough to be their grandfather.

Week Six - Day One - Top 11 Superfoods That Can Save Your Life

This post is actually a day behind.  It was started on Moday and finished Tuesday, after my second visit of the week with the Dr.  This is the last week of my three visits a week with Dr. Scott.   Starting next week it will be twice.  The good news is I lost another seven pounds this last week.  That makes 28 pounds since I started Repairvite.  Later this week I go to see Dr. Hardman, my pulmonologist and Kevin Henry, my primary care.  Neither one of them know I am on this program, so I will be interested in what they have to say.  Vick says she can see my weight loss and Cath, my daughter, says she can see it in my face.  These things make it worth it.  I am thankful to the people that are following this blog and are supporting me in this.  It is going to be a long journey.  On Wednesday, May 15th I finish the Repairvite portion of the journey and the following Sunday I get to add brown rice and nuts back into my diet.  It will be nice to add something new.

Here is an interesting read:  Top 11 Superfoods That Can Save Your Life....  Some foods are packed with massive amounts of nutrients relative to their caloric content.  Read More....http://
bit.ly/15oBSwu
I have lived 60 years without eating a couple of the Superfoods and even with the journey I am on, I don't see myself trying them in the next 60 years.

Just a thought:  The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and fat are really good friends.

Week Five - Day Three - Repairvite Journey

Just a thought:

The second day of a diet is always easier than the first.  By the second day, you're off it.    Jackie Gleason

This is the 18th day of the Repaivite program.  In less than two weeks I will be done with it.  Oh happy day. On the up side I have lost about 27 lbs.  I will take that.  It hasn't been too bad watching other people eat things I can't.  I have to admit there have been temptations along the way, like the other day Vick wanted a sundae and I took her to her favorite sundae place, which is Burger Bar. (You have to be a local, to understand)   A Cheese Ben and fries sure sounded good.  And smelled good too.  But I fought the temptation and came home and had a smoothie.

Yesterday was the third visit to Dr. Scott's office this week.   I have one more week of three visits a week and the I will have two a week for six weeks.  I was the only one in the office for most of my visit yesterday. It was kind of nice.  My routine still takes about ninety minutes and that is without visiting with the Dr.  I was teasing his office help yesterday about being sadistic and enjoying inflicting pain on their patients and they just smiled.  None of them have been through the Repairvite program.  One of them is doing the Clearvite program.  They are really very pleasant and know what they are doing.  They have started following this blog.  They got a kick out of the pictures and said they usually don't get to see pictures and follow the weight loss of the people on program.

Week Five - Day Two - Fish recipe

I know this post should have been done last night but I just didn't get there.  Found out the Dr. Scott will be in Italy for a couple of weeks and by the time he returns I will be finished with my Repairvite Program and will have finished three days of a water fast.  I will drink nothing except water that has been enhanced with fresh lemons, limes and grade B pure maple syrup.  Sounds exciting doesn't it?  At least I will be finished with the weed water.  More about that as it happens.

My visit yesterday followed the same routine as all the others.  My back is actually feeling better.  It still hurts but I can stand a little longer and the pain isn't quite as severe.  I noticed in the last couple of days I can actually get in and out of my wife's Mazda a little easier.  May things are changing for the better.

Today I as talking with my daughter and realized that at 7:00 PM I had only eaten a turkey patty, an apple, two oranges and about 20 grapes all day.  Vick and I are helping with her kids as her husband is working late.  She was not happy when I realized this and that my calorie intake for the day was about 350. Vick told me to stop and buy a BIG steak my way home.  At first I wasn't going to do it but I could feel my self folding up and decided to do it.  Came home and cooked a nice large steak on the George Foreman. Add carrots, celery, olives and another apple to it and finished the day with about 1150 calories.  I felt much better after dinner except for some reason I am feeling very hungry now.  I have been averaging about 850-1000 calories a day until today.  the Dr. says I should be consuming at least 1500 a day.  We will see because I like as Vick says " I am wasting away to nothing."

This Fridays dinner will be fish again.  Vick wants to have fish at least weekly, if not more often.  Found a great recipe I am going to try:

Chili Rubbed Talapia

Chili Talapia

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 pound talapia fillets
2 Tbsp olive oil


Directions:

Combine chili powder, garlic powder, and salt on a plate.  Dredge fillets in the spice mixture to coat.  Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add fish and cook until just opaque in the center, gently turning halfway, 5-7 minutes total.  Divide between four plates. Serve with vegetables.

This recipe is from July 2012 Eating Well magazine.  I will probably steam some carrots to go with my fish, maybe some broccoli.  If try the broccoli, I think Vick and Cath will die.  We will see.

Week Five - Day One - Monthly Photo

376 lbs

376 lbs

Today begins my fifth week with Dr. Scott.  It is not day one but actually day 29.  Today completes week two of the Repairvite program.  Only two more to go and then I start Clearvite.  I am not sure how thrilled I am about that but I will at least get to add something new to my diet.  I did ask Dr. Scott about the Carmel flavored weed water but he said usually when they add flavors to it, it makes it worse.  Besides I have already taken it for two weeks and I only have two more weeks to go.  I fell pretty good in the fact that I have lost 24 pounds since this journey began.  I hoped for more but I have to realize it took me a lot of years to get in this shape and it is going to take a few to get back in shape.  As much I as I wish there was, there is not magic bullet for weight loss.  I have tried a large portion of the things out on the market with little or no success. After 29 days I am still not sure why I am working so hard on this journey and program.  Maybe it was when my Dr. said, if something didn't change I would be dead in six to eight years.  For some reason the word "dead" can cause a lot of changes in ones life.

Today I added a photo journal to this blog.  I wanted to have the pictures of me during this journey all in one place as well as contained in the post on the last Monday of the month.  Vick says she can tell a difference and maybe I can see a small change in the pictures.

                     

Rest Stop - Sugar Addiction

If I keep making these rest stops I may never get through this journey.  I know the main purpose of this blog is to journal my visits and program I am following with Dr. Scott, but I am learning a great deal and use these rest stops to share that information.

One of the things I can not have is sugar and boy has that been hard.  I like to keep a dish of candy by my computer and I have a dish of candy in the living room plus other stashes around the house.  When I die they will be finding candy until the millennium, probably.  Anyway, a couple of articles I have read in the last couple of  days deal with sugar addiction.  I have always joked about it but deep down in side I knew it was real.

Here are the two articles:
The first one is titled  Your Brain on Sugar...... It gives you a rush, messes with your mind, and always leaves you wanting more - and now researchers are calling for the government to regulate the sweet stuff like a drug.  Read more...http://
bit.ly/11OzfPI 

The second article is titled  How To Get Over Your Sugar Addiction......Are you a life long sweet tooth(AKA sugar addict)?  Can't finish a meal without something sweet to top it off?  Stomach has a reserve tank purely for sweets?  Me too.  I could be completely full after a meal yet have plenty of room for an 800 calorie dessert.  My palate isn't discriminating either, it loves real sugar and fake sugar, you name it, anything sweet will do.  Read more...http://
bit.ly/152mQfz

Will I give up sugar totally?  I don't think that will happen in this lifetime.  I will cut down considerably though.  Vick said our future treats need to be fruit based and I told her I would still be baking goodies.  There will be cookies and other sweet treats around here but I wont keep them around until they are gone.  I will take them to work or give them to friends and neighbors but I can't see myself quitting the baking and cooking thing because I enjoy it and I have been doing it since I was in the fifth grade.  And at my age that is a long time.  But for now these things are not on my life style change and so when I make something I give it all away.  Time to get get back to my journey.

Rest Stop - About Repairvite Supplements

This may be more than a rest stop turn out to be and overnight stay.  I have  a lot of things on my mind tonight.

First of all I had a visit with my allergist today.  He commented on how good I looked.  he asked me how long it had been since I used my abutirol and I told him I had not used it in the last two weeks.  He was happy with that and I had not even thought about it until he asked and I was quite happy also.  We talked about the possibility of going off the Xolair shots this fall and going to the maintenance shots I was on before.  That would be two shots every three weeks instead of two shots every two weeks.  The shots would be a normal shot instead of peanut butter.  I can only hope.

After talking with a couple of people about the program I am on and while they were looking at my blog, they asked what weed water is.  As I looked at my posts, I realized I haven't said anything about tha actual supplements I am on.  I have described their taste but not what they are.  I am on four different things: 1. Ultra D complex: http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/ultra-d-complex-K35-p-apex-energetics.html?gclid=CODFtO-A6rYCFYtDMgodhmoAqA  I take a teaspoon three times a day.  It is supposed to be orange flavor.  If it is, that is the weirdest flavor of orange I have ever tasted and I don't mean in a good way.  2. RepairVite K60: http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/repair-vite-K60-173gr-p-apex-energetics.html?gclid=COLwn8WB6rYCFa5DMgodgUkANw  Weed water.  I take a scoop in 8 oz of water twicw a day. I don't think I will ever get used to this one. After looking it up on the internet, I see I comes incarmel flavor. I will be asking Dr. Scott about that.  3. RepairVIte K64: http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/gi-synergy-K64.html  This one is three capsules in a package.  It is not bad but still has the weed taste.  I take 1 package of 3, twice a day. 4. Strengtia Probiotics:  http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/strengtia-probiotics-60.html  This is a capsule also.  I take 1 capsule twice a day.  And just for the record I do know what weeds taste like because I was the city gardener for 15 years and pulled a lot of weeds.  I know there are more supplements in my future as I move on to the other phases.

Part of this RepairVite Program is no Gluten of any type for at least this first phase and probably longer.  I never knew I was allergic to gluten.  According to the blood test from my Primary Care Doctor, I don't have a problem.  But according to the blood test I had done for Dr. Scott I am.  He showed me the markers used by my Dr. but the several of the other markers, not used by my Dr. showed a reaction to gluten.  In researching being gluten free I came across a couple of good articles: 1. 50 Shades of Gluten http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kresser/gluten-intolerance_b_2964812.html  and 2. Gluten: 5 things you need to know  http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/05/health/gluten-5-things/index.html?sr=sharebar_facebook  Will I ever go gluten free?  I don't think I will be 100% gluten free but I will make smarter choices.

This lifestyle change is making me aware of the choices, as I have heard, good, better, best.  A lot of the choices I have made wouldn't even be the good one, let alone better or best.

This recipe comes from Cooking Light magazine May 2009.

Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Ingredients
 Dressing:
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp water
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil

Salad:
4 cups torn romaine lettuce
4 cups arugula
2 cups quartered strawberries
1/3 cup vertically sliced red onion
12 oz skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast, sliced
2 Tbsp unsalted cashews, halved
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Preparation
1. To prepare dressing, combine first five ingredients in a small bowl.  Gradually drizzlle in oil, stirring constantly with a whisk.
2. To prepare salad, combine romaine and next four ingredients(through chicken) in a bowl.  Toss gently.  Place about two cups chicken mixture on each of four plates.  Top each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons cashews and 2 Tablespoons cheese.  Drizzle about four teaspoons dressing over each serving.

Because I can not have nuts, sugar and dairy I left those things off the salad.  I also used a Spring Salad Mix from Costco and apple cider vinegar instead of red wine vinegar.  It was good and I am sure I will have it several more times through out this program.

Good night all.  It is time for my weed cocktail and go to bed.

Week Four - Day Three - Dragon Fruit

My third visit to Dr. Scott's office brings week four to a close.  The routine was the same as all the other days. I will see him three times a week for the next two weeks and then I will visit his office twice a week for six weeks and I am not sure after that.  What a journey.

I do have a confession to make.  Last night I screwed up and fell of the wagon.  I had been doing such a good job not eating anything that is on the foods to avoid and last night I forgot that dried apricots were on that list and ate about a dozen of them.  They tasted god but I have repented and they are out away for the time being.  Climbed back on the wagon today.  Onward and upward.

One of the schools I work at is a Title 1 school which means there are a lot of low income students.  To that end the get an extra snack a couple of times a week.  In the past the have gotten things such as miniature bananas, three colored carrots, apples and asparagus.  Today they got Dragon Fruit.  Click the following link to find out about Dragon Fruit: http://thaifood.about.com/od/introtothaicooking/ss/dragonfruit.htm  Without thinking about it, I ate a piece of it.  When I got to Dr. Scott's office I asked him if it was okay.  Luckily it is, so I did not fall off the wagon again.   It tasted pretty good and the girls that work for Dr. Scott want to try some.  I will have to see if I can find one.  I a not sure if Vick will try it but I will see, if I can find one.  The school gets their produce through a produce man and I will have to get them to ask him where I might be able to purchase it.  This change in eating habits may getting me eating a lot of new things.

As for the Fish Tacos, I did make them and Vick loved them.  She said she wants them in the menus a couple of time a month.  She also wants me to find more fish recipes.  Interesting turn of events in this house.

Stepped on the scales this morning and it showed a loss of four pounds for the last four days.  Not what I hoped for but I will take any loss.  Monday I will record my weight and take an updated picture and post both. Time to take my weed cocktail and head for bed.  Goodnight.

Week Four - Day Two - Chiropractic Routine

In reality this is the eight day of the Repairvite Program.  Just finished my nightly weed cocktail.  I have to keep reminded myself that those things that don't kill us will only make us stronger.  Actually I can almost stand the dose of super Vitamin D.  The weed water has a ways to go.  I mix the powder with just enough water to get it down in two or maybe three gulps and then I can stand it.

When I went to Dr. Scott's office today , I wasn't expecting to see him, since I only see him twice a week but as luck would have it I got to visit with him.  He was quite surprised I had no questions today. Did the usual program cold laser, rebuilder room, decompression bed, roller bed and full body vibration.  I wonder what the purpose of Full Body Vibration was and found the following:
Scientific research on the effects of vibration therapy has been conducted all over the world.  The results suggest the people with debilitating conditions may achieve the many results of exercise while working within their personal limitations and minimizing stress on their joints and ligaments.  Here are some of the many clinical studies that have been performed.  Read more: http://www.fullbodyvibration.com/research.html
I told Dr. Scott I would look into everything he has me do or tells me.  So far I think this program is great and well documented.

Today I found out the importance of eating protein within thirty minutes of waking up.  For some reason I did not eat before I went to work.  I wasn't to worried about it, but that was a mistake.  After being there about 45 minutes I started feeling light headed and sick to my stomach.  It dawned on me I had not eaten anything, let alone protein since last night.  I was lucky we have diced turkey breast at the school.  I ate about 6 oz. of it and began to feel better.  I won't let that happen again.

I have to confess I did not have fish tacos tonight and no I didn't cheat on my program.  By the time I got home from Dr. Scott's office Vickie was already eating her dinner, so I had chicken and vegetables.  Tomorrow I will be home all afternoon and will have time to fix the tacos for both of us.  I am actually looking forward to it.  It will be a change from the chicken and beef I have been eating for the last eight days.

I have a number of friends that do not like McDonald's.  I have always maintained I could live on their food. Today I found out if I ate enough I would probably never die or at least my body would not decay>  Great story about a man who has kept a hamburger form McDonald's and the bun and meat have not begun to decompose, mold, grow fungus or smell.  The pickle however is beginning to disintegrate.  Read this story at: http://www.ksl.com/?sid=24906867&nid=711  .  Maybe I will rethink my McDonald's addiction.  Of course with this program I am on I can't have McDonald's anyway, so I guess it is a mute point.  great story anyway.

Week Four - Day One - Fish Tacos with Orange Slaw

Today is seven days since I started the Repairvite program.  So far no cheating.  It hasn't been all that hard.  I just set my mind to it and move on.  It was a good weigh in today.  Lost about 12 lbs.  Makes my loss about 15 pounds since I started working with Dr. Scott.  If I can lose about ten pounds a week for the next three weeks I will surprise Dr. Hardman when I see her.  I have three weeks left on the Repairvite program and hen I think I am moving into the Clearvite program.  That will be phase two.

Vick has started making me a fruit smoothie every night.  They contain an apple, orange, 7-10 strawberries, 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries and 1/4-1/2 cup of coconut milk.  Very good treat.  Everybody  is worried I am not eating enough.  I finished the week with a little over 7000 calories.  Dr.Scott says I should be getting a minimum of 1500 a day.  I asked him if I could have the 3500 I missed this week.  He wasn't very amused.  Actually this hasn't been a bad week.  I am still not liking the weed water and Vitamin D but I take them anyway.  Dr. Scott said when he was in Seattle over the weekend he stopped by the Hard Rock Cafe and they have a burger on their menu that over 2200 calories.  It did not really even sound good to me.  What's happening to me?  That would normally be making me salivate all over the place and now I don't really want one.  Changes like that it my make up could spell trouble for me.  I might even be starting to eat better and not go back to my old ways when this is all over, but then I think that is the goal of this whole journey.

Today followed the same routine.  Rebuilder Room, Cold Laser, Decompression and Roller Bed and Full Body Vibration.  My back does feel better.  I will continue three time a week this week and two more and then kick down to twice a week for six weeks.  Great new adventure.

This will dinner tomorrow night:

Fish Tacos with Cabbage-Orange Slaw

Ingredients
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp lime zest
1 lb. frozen tilapia fillets
8 corn tortillas, warmed

Cabbage Orange Slaw
2 cups tri-color coleslaw
1/2 cup mandarin oranges halved crosswise
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Directions
Mix together 1 Tbsp olive oil, chili powder and lime zest.  Pour mixture over fish fillets, coating all sides.  Refrigerate while making coleslaw.  Heat remaining tablespoon olive oil in large non stick skillet over medium heat until hot.  Add fish fillets and cook until fish slakes and is cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Remove fish to cutting board and cut into large bite size pieces.  For cabbage slaw, combine all ingredients and toss well to mix.  Divide fish equally among tortillas and top with Cabbage Orange Slaw.

I will use green leaf lettuce leaves for mine and cook corn tortillas for my wife.  I will also mix a little lime juice with some sour cream for my wife.  Maybe someday I will get to have the corn tortillas and sour cream.  I can only hope.

Rest Stop - Apple Cider Vinegar

I use these rest stops for visits with other Dr.'s than Dr. Scott and anytime I want to add something to my blog.  I told Dr. Scott I am researching this program and the things he asks me to do.

One of the things I can have on the program is Apple Cider Vinegar.  Tonight on the Internet I found some interesting information on Apple Cider Vinegar.

If you think apple cider vinegar is only good for adding tart flavor to salad dressing, then you are missing out on all that the health remedy has to offer.  As far back as 400 B.C. Hippocrates(known as the father of modern medicine), would prescribe apple cider vinegar to treat a variety of illnesses.   From weight loss to improved insulin levels, apple cider vinegar is a small addition to  your daily diet that can make a big change.
                        Read more at: http://drakibagreenblog.com/healing-nature-of-apple-cider-vinegar.htm  

If nothing else, as Vickie said tonight, I will cook more healthy meals and be more aware of what and how much I am eating.  Tomorrow is weigh in day, it will be interesting to see where I am.

     "The reason fat people are happy is that their nerves are well protected"
                                                                                              Luciano Pavarotti

Week Three - Day Three - Visit with Dr. Scott

This should have been written yesterday but I just didn't get to it.  In fact it will probably wont be finished until tomorrow night.  It is late and I am beat.  The only reason I am still up is I am waiting for some laundry to dry, so I can get it hung up.

Did a quick calculation today as to the total number of calories I have consumed since starting this eating plan on Tuesday and the grand total is 4300.  Just over 1000 a day.  I have had days where I have consumed that many and more in a single day.  Dr. Scott wants me to be eating at least 1500 a day.  That is going to take some effort.  I will probably be around 1000-1200 a day for the next 3 1/2 weeks.  Should lose some major weight.

Visited with Dr. Scott yesterday and got what I think will be the last of my lab results back.  As he figured, he said I have two of the three problems with leaky gut.  I never even new such a problem existed until I started going to Dr. Scott.  I have been a fair amount of research on the Internet and I am surprised at how much information there is and how common it seems to be.  The supplements he started me on are to help heal my leaky gut.  They still don't taste good but I getting to where I can tolerate them a little more.

Vick and I spent the evening babysitting our grand kids, since there mother had to work tonight and their dad wasn't home from work when mom had to go to work.  Their dad called a said he was bring Pizza home for dinner and I knew I was in for a test.  Surprisingly enough I wasn't really tempted.  I mean a slice or two would have tasted good but I wasn't interested, even when I cut up the pieces for my grand daughters.  I was a little surprised to say the least but Dr. Scott said my taste buds will change and maybe this is the beginning.  I have some chocolate in the house and Vick wants me to get rid of them but I use it a small victory every day when I don't get into it.  I would usually go looking for it when I was bored and felt I need something to eat.  I would especially be into it when I am on my computer late, like I am most nights.  Now I keep carrot and celery sticks by my computer.  My gumball machine is still there and it is full of gumballs but I haven't touched them yet.  Another small victory in my journey.

As a whole my visits to Dr. Scott's office have fallen in to a routine of decompression bed, roller bed, cold laser treatment, foot soak, exercise with oxygen and full body vibration.  That is about all for this entry.  Goodnight.

Week Three- Day Two - Repairvite Begins Today

Day Eight refers to my eighth visit with Dr. Scott and his staff.  I have actually been on this journey for 16 days.

I started the Repairvite program today.  It is phase one and will last about four weeks.  I still can't believe I am paying for this much fun.  I take four different supplements a day.  Three of them twice and the other I take three times a day.  The one I take three times a day is a super charged Vitamin D.  It is supposed to be orange flavored but I am not sure where the flavor comes from.  It tastes like a moldy orange smells.  Two of the other three supplements are capsules, so if I swallow them quickly they aren't too bad.  The third one is a totally different story.  It is a powder that has to be mixed in water and boy does it taste bad.  Drinking dirt would taste better.  I told the Dr. today, I can tell these supplements weren't chosen because they taste good.  He said some people mix it with coconut milk, which is the only thing I can drink besides water, others take it as shots.  I just have to chug it and get it over with.  Can you  say..... YUCK ....... I still have to take take last dose tonight.  Not looking forward to it.

All three of them contain extracts of plants, weeds, flowers and trees.  This seems a little weird for me to be taking these when I have allergy induced asthma and I am allergic to all of those things.  They don't seem to be bothering me but I do keep my Albuterol handy and make sure I am up on my meds.  Everybody seems to think if I will lose some weight by allergies and asthma will go away.  We shall see.

As I said, I started phase one today.  I have cut out sugar, dairy, eggs, wheat  and a number of other things.  Dr. Scott said I needed protein with 30 minutes of getting up, so I cooked up a couple of chicken breasts.  I had a chicken breast with carrots and an apple for breakfast.  Lunch was a hamburger patty, carrots, and a couple of oranges.  Dinner was a salad with chicken, strawberries and lemon juice for dressing.  I have also consumed vast quantities of water.  A couple of snack consisted of grapes, carrots and apples.  I think the problem is going to be getting enough calories daily.  Dr. Scott want me to eat at least 1200 and not go below 1000.  I told Dr. Scott when you take away sugar, carbs, dairy and eggs, it should be easy to lose weight.  Watch for the weight post next Monday to see how much I have dropped.

Week Three - Day One - Better known as the Day of Reckoning

One piece of good news this morning is I was down another 1.7 pounds.  I am not really trying to lose weight, just watching a little closer to what, how much and when I eat.

That all changed with my visit to Dr. Scott this afternoon.  I knew this day was coming.  He is only missing one test result but he had enough to change my eating.  I am now on what is know as the Repairvite Program.  It is A Systemic Dietary and Nutritional Program for Intestinal Barrier Integrity.  Better know as Leaky Gut.  There is a lot about this program and problem on the Internet. This link is a good one for information about the treatment I am embarking on:  http://integrativehealthconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/RepairVite-Brochure.pdf   It is going to be quite change of life for this household.  Dr. Scott says this is phase one and will last about four weeks  and then I move into phase two. This should be quite a ride.  I am not to keen on giving up sugar and bread and dairy among other things, but Dr. Scott says down the road some of these thing will be re-introduced.  As I talked with my daughter about this program tonight she said to do it 100% and don't cheat in any way.  I told her that is the plan, Vick and I have a lot of money and faith in Dr. Scott and I have a lot of time invested at this point and I am not going to turn my back on it.  Tomorrow morning begins the fun.  I am not looking forward to the with drawls from sugar and wheat and other things.  That will be the test, can I keep my cool and get through these next few days.

Tonight I suggested something really stupid on my part.  I told Vick we needed to go to dinner and enjoy my last supper before I started cleaning up my act tomorrow.  We went to Golden Corral all you can eat.  We took the kids with us.  That part was fun.  The twins were really good and ate a lot.  Issac was good too.  He ate a lot of lasagna and plenty of sweets.  We had a hard time explaining to him why we were doing something bad for our bodies tonight, so we could start being good tomorrow.  That boy is to smart and he is only five.  It is after 11 and I am feeling miserable.  I think I am going to have a drink of water and go to bed.

Let the fun begin........................................